Extrahepatic biliary obstruction: can silymarin protect liver function?

Abstract

The hepatoprotective property of silymarin is well known. However, it is not known whether the antioxidant silymarin might have a beneficial effect in extrahepatic cholestasis in common bile duct ligated rats. Malonaldehyde property concentrations, the hydrogen-donating ability and reducing power were measured in liver homogenates by spectrophotometry, as well as free SH-group levels and glutathione-reductase activities in sera. The total scavenger capacity of the livers was quantified by a chemiluminometric method. The elevated lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant capacity of liver homogenates and sera could be observed in ligated rats. Silymarin pretreatment improved the antioxidant capacity of the liver, diminished the direct bilirubin concentration and caused an increase of liver enzyme activities compared with the groups without treatment. These effects of silymarin suggest that it may be a useful agent for improving the antioxidant defensive system in extrahepatic cholestasis, but its choleretic property should be considered.

Hepatic damage in biliary-obstructed rats is ameliorated by leflunomide treatment

“…Many studies reported that anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents may show beneficial effect on persistent inflammation and oxidative damage in cholestasis [1,7,8,11]. But most of these agents are in experimental process and are not ready for clinical usage.…”

“…This condition causes known biochemical, pathophysiological and morphological abnormalities produced by interrupted enterohepatic circulation, obstructed hepatic biliary tree, increased biliary pressure, retention of biliary constituents and impairment of hepatocellular transport. In some circumstances, such as biliary atresia, despite early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention to improve biliary drainage, most patients will either require liver transplantation or die as a result of progressive liver fibrosis [1][2][3].…”

“…Obstructive cholestasis in the liver occurs in various diseases in children, such as biliary atresia, gallstone, primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis [1]. This condition causes known biochemical, pathophysiological and morphological abnormalities produced by interrupted enterohepatic circulation, obstructed hepatic biliary tree, increased biliary pressure, retention of biliary constituents and impairment of hepatocellular transport.…”

The protective efficacy of vitamins (C and E), selenium and silymarin supplements against alcohol toxicity

“…It was proved to have a protective effect against experimental hepatotoxicity by regulating the actions of the ultrastructures of the liver cells and improving the activities of hepato-cellular enzymes and bile production (Hagymasi et al, 2002).…”

Comparative Effect of Silymarin and D-Penicillamine on Lead Induced Hemotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Rat

“…Silymarin is a standardized mixture of antioxidant flavonolignans (silybin and silibinin) extracted from the medicinal plant Silybum marianum. It is a free radical scavenger and a membrane stabilizer that prevents lipoperoxidation induced cell damage [9] and was proved to have a protective effect against experimental hepatotoxicity [10]. Moreover, alternative beneficial effects of silymarin comprising cardioprotective, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and iron chelating were recently demonstrated [11][12][13].…”